By George Mann, read by Nicola Bryant

BBC Audio, out now

Why are there suddenly flowers growing throughout the TARDIS?

The second in 2017’s linked series of audios – which you have to suspect may well be the last to feature the 12th Doctor – doesn’t take you to where you’d expect if you’ve listened to the first release. Instead, this is something of a “bottle story”, taking place, for the most part, within the TARDIS itself. When weird flowers start to carpet the floors, and begin to interfere with the console itself, the Doctor sends his new companions – young American brother and sister Brandon and Alex – to investigate… and what they find puts all three travellers in great peril. Mann’s tale may not chart new ground, but it’s an effective story.

Nicola Bryant, on the surface, appears an unusual choice of reader for this, but it’s actually a very clever move. She’s used to portraying an American (and bar a few moments, it doesn’t sound like Peri), and playing the part of a crotchety, argumentative Doctor – her Scots accent may not be precisely the same one that Peter Capaldi has, but she get his inflections and impatience spot on. David Darlington’s sound design is as strong as ever, although some of the music cues feel a little unusual – but that does help to add to the disturbing atmosphere.

Verdict: An effective tale for the new TARDIS team. 7/10

Paul Simpson